Grape Leaf Folder, Desmia funeralis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Damage caused
by larvae of the grape leaf folder is usually minor in vineyards under a regular
spray program for other insect pests. The larva, a pale green caterpillar about
1 inch long when fully developed, either folds or rolls a leaf, ties the edges
with silk and feeds on the upper surface, concealed within the fold. When leaves
are rolled, the larva feeds within the free edge of the leaf. The result of such
feeding is skeletonized leaves.
This moth overwinters as a pupa. During early May, adult moths emerge from the pupae. An adult moth has dark brown wings with a spread of about 9/10 inch. The wings have a white border; each forewing has two nearly oval white spots. Each hindwing has one white spot, which may be divided in the female. The body is black and is crossed by two white bands in the female and one white band in the male.
There are
usually two generations of the grape leaf folder each year. The second generati
on,
which occurs in August and September, is the most damaging to grape foliage.
Current pesticide recommendations may be found HERE